I thought it would be easy: pretend to be happy, make Ilya see that I was doing great, and everything would fall into place. I wanted him to be jealous, to realise who he’d lost and maybe come crawling back. But things didn’t go the way I expected, and it made me think about everything – even myself.
Standing in the crowded airport, I nervously checked my phone, wondering if Danila-the very stranger I’d dragged into this crazy plan-would show up. The idea had come to me on a lonely, emotionally heavy night in a bar while talking to a man I barely knew.
I was hurting over my breakup with Ilya, so I poured my heart out to Danila, and he in turn confessed that he had no money to travel. Somehow the perfect pact was born out of this: I got the perfect ‘boyfriend’ for revenge, and he got a free holiday. It seemed like a win-win.
Suddenly, a voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Hey.
I looked up and saw Danila walking towards me with a smile, as if it was just a normal day. He looked so calm, relaxed, and honestly, it made me even more nervous.
You came,” I said, trying to sound confident, but my voice still shook slightly.
So, still think this is a good idea? – He asked, raising an eyebrow.
I hesitated. It didn’t seem like a good idea at all anymore.
Not really. But we’re already here,” I smiled weakly.
Danila shrugged, clearly not worried in the slightest.
I have no complaints. I’m on holiday with a beautiful woman, and I’m getting paid for it,” he winked.
My cheeks flushed.
We got on the plane, and then it happened. As I walked down the aisle, my stomach flipped. Right in the middle of the cabin sat Ilya. And next to him was his new girlfriend. My insides clenched.
Alina? – Ilya’s voice was full of surprise. – What are you doing here?
His eyes narrowed suspiciously when he spotted Danila next to me.
But Danila, like a true professional, instantly put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.
I’m going on holiday with my boyfriend,” I said, and the words seemed strange but necessary.
Ilya barely reacted, just shrugged.
Well, have fun,” he said without a shadow of jealousy.
The plane took off, and I tried to concentrate, but my thoughts were rushing around in my head. My dreams were so clear: to show Ilya that I was happy, and maybe he’d come back. We were staying at the same hotel after all – I knew where he’d go, thanks to mutual friends. Danila and I would just play our parts.
But when we got to the room, everything changed dramatically.
There’s only one bed here,” I muttered, looking at the huge bed in the middle of the room.
Danila laughed, clearly finding it terribly amusing.
Looks like we’re going to have to squeeze in.
No way,” I exclaimed in a panic and hurried to the front desk to correct my mistake, but of course Ilya heard everything.
Is there a problem already? – he asked with a grin.
No, it’s perfect,” I lied, trying to smile. Danila just leaned lazily on the counter, amused by the whole situation.
There was no avoiding the inevitable that night. I had to share a bed with Danila. I was literally hanging on the very edge to stay away from him.
Relax, it’s just a dream,” he grinned when I threw a pillow at him.
The next few days were a strange mix of awkward encounters with Ilya and unexpectedly fun moments with Danila. He played the role of my boyfriend flawlessly. He made me laugh in ways I hadn’t laughed in months. We built sandcastles, made fun of overly serious guides, and splashed around in the water. I began to feel something I hadn’t felt in a long time – happiness.
One evening, after dinner, Danila took my hand.
Let’s go,” he said, dragging me down to the beach.
Suddenly, he picked me up in his arms and rushed me towards the water. I squealed, begging him to stop, but he just laughed. We both ended up soaking wet from head to toe.
Under the starry sky, something changed. Danila looked at me so seriously it took my breath away. I thought he was going to kiss me. But then I mumbled something about Ilya and hurried back. Danila stood there, staring at me in silence.
The next morning everything changed. Ilya caught me in the lobby.
I still love you, Alina,” he said, his voice trembling. – Let’s start again.
He kissed me. And I was struck by how little I felt. The longing I’d expected wasn’t there. Instead, I realised that I had changed.
No, Ilya,” I said firmly. – I deserve someone who actually sees me. And that’s not you.
But when I got back to the room, the unexpected was waiting for me. Danila was gone. His things were gone.
I panicked.
Danila! – I shouted, running outside. In the distance, I saw him walking away.
Please don’t go! – I shouted, catching up with him.
He stopped, but didn’t look at me right away.
You don’t need this play anymore, Alina,” he said quietly.
No, you don’t understand,” I choked with emotion. – I don’t need the show. I need you. You make me laugh. You make me feel alive. And I don’t want to lose you.
Danila hesitated. For a moment I thought he was going to leave. But then he dropped the bag on the ground.
Without a word, he stepped towards me, took my face in his palms and kissed me. It wasn’t for show. It wasn’t for a plan. This was real.
Sharing a bed wasn’t so bad after all,” I joked through my tears.
It was the best part of the trip,” he smirked and kissed me again.
What started out as a stupid attempt to get my ex back turned into something real. Sometimes the best plans are the ones that fail miserably.
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